Converting a foreign driver’s licence

If you have an international driver’s licence and want to legally drive in South Africa, you can convert your foreign driving licence to a South African (SA) one, if: 

• you’ve obtained permanent SA residency, or
• you’ve obtained a foreign driving licence while living abroad.

You have to convert your foreign driving licence within 5 years from obtaining your permanent residency or resuming your residency. This is according to the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 of South Africa.

What you’ll need

If you’re a South African citizen, you’ll need the following documents to convert your foreign driving licence to a South African one:

• South African identity document (ID).
• Passport.
• Foreign driving licence.
• Traffic register number certificate or foreign ID if you don’t have a South African ID.
• Confirmation letter of foreign driving licence.

If you’re a permanent resident of SA, you’ll need the following documents to convert your foreign driving licence to a SA one:

• Proof of permanent residency certificate.
• Passport.
• Foreign driving licence.
• Confirmation letter.
• South African ID (if you’re in possession of one) or a Foreign ID (not a foreign passport or driving licence).
• A Traffic register number certificate that was issued before permanent residency was granted may be used for identification purposes.

These original documents must be presented to the Driving licence helpdesk of the Department of Transport for permission to convert a foreign driving licence.

To apply

You can apply for permission to convert a foreign driving licence at the Department of Transport and Public Works (TPW) Driving Licence helpdesk.

These original documents must be presented to the driving licence helpdesk of the Department of Transport for permission to convert a foreign driving licence.

Contact details

Street Address: TPW Walk-in-Centre, 1st Floor, 9 Dorp Street, Cape Town, 8000

Telephone:

• 021 483 2078
• 021 483 2080
• 021 483 6401
• 021 483 2469
• 021 483 0520

You can also follow the Department of Transport and Public Works on Twitter: @WCGovTPW